Congress Votes to End War, Bush to Veto Bill

In an unprecedented challenge to the Bush administration’s policy concerning the so-called war on terror, Congress today enacted legislation that ties a deadline for withdrawing American combat troops to continued funding of the effort. The president has said he will veto the bill.

In a 51-46 vote, the Senate agreed with the House of Representatives that some $100 billion in funding for the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan should be tied to a schedule that requires troop withdrawal over the next 11 months, starting by Oct. 1, according to Reuters. This is the first time that Congress, controlled by Democrats since January, has directly contravened the president’s war policy.

The tally does not come close to the two-thirds majority required to override the president’s power to veto the bill, though, notes the New York Times.